GP1

Here is some more thinking outside of the box. Feature a MAC vs Sun Belt weekend the week before what is called Week Zero. Here is some more. Stop making revenue generation the driving factor in every decision. It's a public institution. Make benefiting the public the driving factor. Hint: Florida isn't Ohio.

I just saw this and laughed at the stupidity of the Tweet. I think they should start thinking outside of the box by stop letting the television networks do their thinking for them.

I think you are largely right, but there are degrees of competitiveness. Akron is on the low end. We can compete for a couple of quarters against good MAC schools, but not nearly enough for four quarters. When I think of competitiveness, I think about more than talent. I don't know how many have watched the Netflix series about the Florida Gators during the Tebow years, but there was an almost psychotic level of competitiveness on their team. It isn't something any fan could see because the competitiveness was being developed away from and out of sight of the fans at times when most fans are asleep or in bars. The competitiveness translated into wins. Florida won not because they learned how to win. "Learning how to win" is a stupid phrase because winning isn't learned, it's earned away from gameday. They won because they competed hard on every play at a level the average person couldn't imagine during practice, off season workouts and games. That's where Akron needs to get to.

The term is "complementary football". Akron played it in the first half of the game Friday. Not so much in the second.

The problem at Akron is they aren't good at maintaining the program whether in the form of facilities or people. It drives them to make bad decisions in order to maintain the program. There are many, many, many programs at our level who are good at the maintenance part while winning. Miami, OU and Toledo come to mind. The "Building Process" Hilltopper references is a smoke scene thrown in front of you in hopes you don't notice the bad management. It's death by a thousand cuts.

There were more people at the game than I anticipated.

They suck. Good riddance to the 2023 team. Bring on 2024.

If the fans hardly get to see any games because the University schedules away games for paydays, how do they benefit from facility improvements?

You shouldn't renew them. Joe Akron hasn't asked for much for a long time. The University is stealing money from Joe Akron who just wants to see a good football game and have a nice day at a game. If you feel the urge to go, go stand around and wait for someone to give you a free ticket. You can basically sit just about anywhere you want. My advice to anyone who wants to financially support the University is to find a scholarship that gives money directly to needy students and donate.

A lot of the players didn't grow up in Ohio and don't care. A lot of OSU players didn't grow up in Ohio and playing there is just part of their road to the NFL.

When jokes bomb.

I like what he does also. There are a lot of schools where influential people like Matt are consulted with before making big decisions in the athletic department. I wonder if they discussed the OSU scheduling with him prior to making it, and if they did, what was his response?

With the spread of the transfer portal, many of the players come from P5 programs. They are less impressed by big stadiums than a normal recruit. The shine of these games has worn off. Heck, the shine of those stadiums has worn off for fans. My understanding is OSU is having trouble selling out games. Seems as if fans and alumni aren't impressed with the product they are selling. Look at their 2024 home schedule, it's horrible other than Michigan. I can't give a good reason why anyone would buy tickets. IMO, college football should benefit these five areas: athletes Students Alumni Fans General Community Maybe this benefits the athletes that week on a superficial level, but going to a bowl game is more important than playing OSU for all five parties than getting killed at OSU. The students miss out on going to a game on campus. Same for the alumni and fans. The general community doesn't get a chance to come together at a game for a fun event. What Akron did was just gross and short sighted. I guess it's par for the course for college football these days.

This doesn't solve the problem of mismanagement of the program. Moving to FCS could just be trading one set of problems for another. Further, I think almost everyone agrees the scheduling of OSU is a terrible idea.

See everyone in Lot 9.

Good idea. Tie in basketball as well. The MAC should be measuring it's against conferences like SB. Nothing like actually playing games to test how your conference is doing.

Toledo is exactly where it should be.

Everyone knows this is going to happen. Why not not get the $500,000 up front and keep a position open on the schedule for a more competitive game?

You answered your own question. History and traditions matter in college football. Toledo has a long tradition of winning in the MAC. They have a great rivalry with a good program 20 miles away. They are very close to MAC West teams so travel is inexpensive and fans can attend games. Their program benefits the players students alumni fans and general community around Toledo, and all of these groups know it and appreciate the program. That's what a state university should do. It's what Akron should be doing, but can't get out of it's own way.

Joe will be fine without whatever is left of the season ticket base. His real problem is the administration.

Cincinnati is trash again. They will win in Oxford.

I don't. I would be extremely disappointed if he was.

I believe going to a 9 game MAC season would be good for Akron and the conference. Maybe I'm was wrong. Maybe all that would result in is 9 MAC games and 3 P5 loses. I don't think Akron or MAC schools could duplicate the sanity of the Sun Belt.

There will be another team next year.

When you are in a position of leadership, you are responsible for more than just your job whether or not you like it. You are responsible for the people and their families under you. The University showed today they have no regard for Joe M or the coaches who work for him. As soon as they can, all of these coaches need to go work for an institution that actually cares a little about them and their families. The administration purposely today put all of their livelihoods at risk.